Fly to Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay is the place for whale watching. Every winter (July–October) on their migration from Antarctica to the Great Barrier Reef, humpback whales stop over in the waters around K'gari (Fraser Island). There's a range of whale watching boat tours available, including accessible and budget-friendly ones. Some even have underwater viewing areas. If you want to take it to the next (sea) level, you can even go diving with whales.

Head across the bay to beautiful K'gari (Fraser Island). It's the world's largest sand island, and World Heritage–listed to boot. This island paradise has lush rainforest, white-sand beaches and picture-perfect inland lakes. Cruise along the 75 Mile Beach highway in a 4WD or climb the cliffs of Indian Head. Cool off in the Champagne Pools, go on a jetski safari or paddle in Lake McKenzie. It's a 40-minute ferry ride from Hervey Bay so it's an easy daytrip or you could stay a while in five-star accommodation or camp under five thousand stars.
 

Take a daytrip back in time to Maryborough, a picturesque heritage town full of historic buildings, museums and galleries. Wander among heritage sandstone buildings, picnic in riverside parks, jump aboard the Mary Ann Steam Train, and follow the Maryborough Mural Trail. Maryborough is actually the birthplace of P.L. Travers, who wrote the Mary Poppins stories. These stories feature across the town, with the interactive Magical Mary Trail, the Story Bank and the annual Mary Poppins Festival.